Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Signs of the Times

Although the signs on this blogpost have words, most of the ones in Canada were of symbols only. I imagine this was due to the fact that the country in officially bilingual.

You think?

The school sign is far more colorful and detailed than its US one.

It really stands out at the edge of the pavement.

The children here leap happily off the bus at the end of the school day.

Sort of like Mario Brothers in the olden days.

Remember that catchy little tune?

And apparently the Canadian children play more vigorously as this

image is running hard and bouncing a ball. I can almost hear his hard breathing.

Sorry that I took a picture of this sign with the words.

We saw plenty of these with no printed word.

There was also a sign with the same image except it had a green circle around

the two vehicles. Can you suppose its meaning?

Then there were the variety of signs warning of animals in that area.

I always wondered how they knew the deer (or elk, moose, bison, horse....) would cross in that particular place in the road. Well, I learned that there are very specific migratory patterns that animals have that are passed on for generations upon generations. When an engineer decides that a road fits conveniently in one place, it may very well collide with the inbred navigation of these innocent animals. That's when the problem begins and "collide" is a most appropriate word choice. The signs of the specific animals were unique in their own right.

This is a handsome caribou, I believe.

Though it could be a deer or elk, the antlers look rather elk-ish.

But the deer and elk don't live this far north.

So, I suppose it is a caribou. Just a guess.

Here is an energetic deer/elk/caribou that has a primary-type appearance.

By that I mean that it looks like an elementary school child drew it.

Then again, it reminds me of a modern-style Christmas card and

this deer is flying high

in the sky ahead of Santa's sleigh.

This big fellow is a powerful moose.

Did you know that a mature bull moose weighs the same as a Mini-Cooper?

That's a fact. And his antlers can weigh up to 80 pounds.

Now that could make for some stiff-necks!

And this moose looks a bit dragged down and anemic in his position.

Maybe that 80 pounds on his head has worn him out.

Whether he is tired he or not, you DON'T want to collide

with a long-legged moose in the road.

The damage to a car and its driver is extensive.

Once in awhile there is a solar panel attached to the sign,

making it flash in lights.

Must be a lot of four-legged friends crossing in this area!

As big and bulky the picture of this bison is, it still doesn't prepare you for the remarkable size of this beast. You'll see the real deal in photos in a few days. Whew! Nothing to contend with.

And, just in case you weren't really paying attention to the prior sign,

the Wildlife-Vehicle Accident Prevention Program wants to make you sit up and take notice.

The charm of this one-of-a kind sign stands out.

The Natives of Canada and Alaska have hunting rights within the caribou herds.

There are several recognized massive herds like the Porcupine Herd from

the Northern Yukon and Alaska.

Each year the Porcupine Herd - over 100,000 strong - travels 500 miles / 800 km to a coastal plain where thousands of calves are born each June. Feeding on the nutritious shrubs, grasses, and lichens of the tundra the calves are quite safe from predators while the adults can restore their strength after the long winter.

Fascinating, huh?

Take a moment to look behind this sign at the giant peaks of the mountain range.

Who I Am

I am a lover of God's mountains, rivers and the earth's beauty. I am a wife, daughter, mother, sister, grandmother and friend. I winter in Texas and am a travel nurse in Fairbanks, Alaska, in the summer.